BALTIMORE, Md.  Perry Martin, half of the Dumb Ass Partners who own California Chrome, didn’t make the trip to Baltimore to see his colt win the Preakness Stakes. Turns out it’s all Churchill Downs’ fault.

Steve Coburn, who owns the colt with Martin, said Martin had such a bad experience at Churchill Downs during the Kentucky Derby that he decided not to go to the Preakness.

“I can’t answer for Perry, but I honestly believe it was a bad, bad day at Churchill,” Coburn said. “Even though we won, it was a bad day for my partner and his family.”

Coburn didn’t stop there. He ripped Churchill Downs the way others have in recent weeks about the way the management there treats people.

“Not only did I complain at Churchill, but there were other trainers, and owners and even jockeys complaining about the way they were treated,” Coburn said. “If I said it once, I’ve said it 50 times, Churchill Downs needs to call Maryland to get a lesson in hospitality. Because these people right here, they’ve treated us like royalty, and I can’t thank you enough.”

Coburn said he’s not sure Perry will be at the Belmont, but he said: “I know a lot of people who can throw a good loop, and we’ll drag his butt to Belmont if he doesn’t want to show up on his own. He needs to be because he’s missing out on a lot of fun. I can guarantee nothing, but I’ll talk to him.”

Churchill Downs released a statement about Coburn’s comments. It came from John Asher, VP of Racing Communications for Churchill Downs:

“We’re disappointed the overall experience for the owners of California Chrome apparently did not measure up to the stellar performance of their horse in the Kentucky Derby. We have an excellent and veteran team of volunteers from throughout our community that serve as official Kentucky Derby hosts and they work tirelessly to communicate with owners and trainers and to help guide them through the Kentucky Derby Week experience. Our team worked to satisfy the California Chrome team’s needs when they were communicated to us and regret that their experience at Churchill Downs appears to have fallen short of expectations. We would certainly look forward to discussing with them any issues stemming from their Derby experience, and wish California Chrome and his team to best in their pursuit of the Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes.”

New Triple Crown series: If Tom Chuckas, Jr., has his way, the Triple Crown series for thoroughbreds will be staged over60 days rather than 36 days as it is now.

Chuckas spoke with turf writers at the 139th Preakness Stakes Saturday and said business goes lock-step with tradition when it comes to putting the best product before the racing public. He said any change would be met by “a lot of challenges and hurdles,” and he offered no time frame when it could be changed. He said there haven’t been any formal discussions about it.

“It would have to be conversations at the highest levels,” Chuckas said.

Chuckas said he “has respect for tradition,” “but I don’t want to go the way of the dinosaurs and become extinct.”

Chuckas said the Triple Crown could start with the traditional first Saturday in May, but instead of two weeks later, run the Preakness on the first Saturday in June. The Belmont Stakes would run the first Saturday in July.